Gettysburg

  The repulse of Wilcox’s brigade had a critical effect on the other attacking brigades adjacent to his. Brigadier General A. R. Wright’s brigade advanced boldly toward Cemetery Ridge, smashing past line after line of defending Union soldiers. He relates:

  We were now within less than 100 yards of the crest of the heights, which were lined by artillery, supported by a strong body of infantry, under protection of a stone fence. My men, by a well-directed fire, soon drove the cannoneers from their guns, and, leaping over the fence, charged up to the top of the crest, and drove the enemy’s infantry... some 80 or 100 yards in the rear of the enemy’s batteries. We were now complete masters of the field, having gained the key, as it were, of the enemy’s whole line. Unfortunately, just as we had carried the enemy’s last and strongest position it was discovered that the brigade on our right had not only not advanced across the turnpike, but had actually given way and was rapidly falling back to the rear, while on our left we were entirely unprotected, the brigade ordered to our support having failed to advance.

  It was now evident, with my ranks so seriously thinned as they had been by this terrible charge, I should not be able to hold my position unless speedily and strongly reinforced... We were now in a critical condition. The enemy’s converging line was rapidly closing upon our rear. A few moments more and we would be completely surrounded. Still no support could be seen coming to our assistance, and with painful hearts we abandoned our captured guns, faced about, and prepared to cut our way through the closing lines in our rear. In this charge my loss was very severe, amounting to 688 in killed, wounded, and missing, including many valuable officers.

  EWELL ATTACKS CULP’S HILL

  As Longstreet attacked the Union army’s left and center with three divisions, Meade was unaware that a final attack was about to fall on his right. Ewell prepared to send an entire division against Culp’s Hill. If the heights were captured, Lee could then turn the Union flank and force the Army of the Potomac to withdraw or face destruction.

  The attack opened with an artillery duel against Union batteries on Culp’s Hill at 4:00 PM. Meade, desperate for reinforcements on the left against Longstreet’s attacks, called on the Twelfth Corps occupying Culp’s Hill. Believing that the artillery fire was only a demonstration, Meade ordered Major General Henry Slocum to send his entire corps to reinforce the Union left.

  Major General Henry Warner Shcum

  Slocum saw the danger ahead of him and requested to keep a division on Culp’s Hill to protect the key position. Meade refused, but allowed him to keep a single brigade. Slocum chose the 3rd Brigade of the Twelfth Corp’s Second Division, a veteran unit of New Yorkers led by sixty-two-year-old Brigadier General George Sears Greene of Rhode Island. A skilled combat engineer, Greene knew how to make the most of the terrain to strengthen his defenses. Working all day, his men had built an impressive trench and breastworks line near the crest of the hill with logs and stones. Now spread out along the trench line, his single brigade awaited the Confederate attack.

  Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com.

  Brigadier General George Sears Greene

  As dusk fell around 7:15 pm, skirmishers saw Confederate troops crossing Rock Creek at the base of the hill. In mere moments, Johnson’s three brigades of rebel infantry advanced on Greene’s breastworks. Major. W. Goldsborough of the 2nd Maryland Infantry described the advance: “The ground over which Johnson’s Division moved was rough enough at first, but became much rougher after it had crossed Rock Creek and struck the wooded hill. . . Here immense rocks and boulders were encountered, which greatly retarded the progress of the troops, and darkness came on, and no enemy save a few skirmishers had been encountered.”

  Rufus Dawes and his 6th Wisconsin were deployed in Greene’s line. Dawes later wrote, “A sound came now from the woods to our right that made us jump for our breastworks. It was the rebel yell, sounded by thousands of voices. It was almost dusk, and beginning to be quite dark in the woods. I ran to my post, and ordered: ‘Down, men, watch sharp, keep your eyes peeled! Shoot low, shoot low, the hill is steep; quiet now; steady!’”

  As the rebels advanced up the hill, Greene’s men were ordered to fire. “Out into the night like chain-lightning leaped the zig-zag line of fire,” recalled the 60th New York’s Captain Jones. All along the line fighting raged for almost three hours. Johnson’s men seized the abandoned fortifications at the base of Culp’s Hill but advanced no further. As complete darkness fell around 10:00 pm, other Twelfth Corps brigades returned to their positions and were ordered to attack at first light. The ground was littered with the dead and wounded of both sides.

  TILLIE HELPS THE WOUNDED

  The fighting on Little Round Top had occurred perilously close to Jacob Weikert’s farm where Tillie labored to help the wounded:

  On this evening the number of wounded brought to the place was indeed appalling. They were laid in different parts of the house. The orchard and space around the buildings were covered with the shattered and dying, and the barn became more and more crowded. The scene had become terrible beyond description.

  That night, in the house, I made myself useful in doing whatever I could to assist the surgeons and nurses. Cooking and making beef tea seemed to be going on all the time. It was an animated and busy scene. Some were cutting bread and spreading it, while I was kept busy carrying the pieces to the soldiers.

  One soldier, sitting near the doorway that led into a little room in the southeast corner of the basement, beckoned me to him. He was holding a lighted candle in his hand, and was watching over a wounded soldier who was lying upon the floor. He asked me if I would get him a piece of bread, saying he was very hungry. I said certainly, ran away and soon returned. I gave him the bread and he seemed very thankful. He then asked me if I would hold the light and stay with the wounded man until he came back. I said I would gladly do so, and that I wanted to do something for the poor soldiers if I only knew what.

  I then took the candle and sat down beside the wounded man. I talked to him and asked if he was injured badly. He answered:

  “Yes, pretty badly. ”

  I then asked him if he suffered much, to which he replied:

  “Yes, I do now, but I hope in the morning I will be better. ”

  I told him if there was anything I could do for him I would be so glad to do it, if he would only tell me what. The poor man looked so earnestly into my face, saying:

  “Will you promise me to come back in the morning to see me. ”

  I replied: “Yes, indeed.”And he seemed so satisfied, and faintly smiled.

  The man who had been watching him now returned, and thanked me for my kindness. I gave him the light and arose to leave.

  The poor wounded soldier’s eyes followed me, and the last words he said to me were:

  “Now don’t forget your promise.” I replied:

  “No indeed,” and expressing the hope that he would be better in the morning, bade him good night.

  DANIEL ATTEMPTS TO SPY FOR THE UNION

  Overcome by excitement, Daniel met up with some of his friends that evening and tried to learn news of the battle by spying on Confederate soldiers:

  The night of the second I slept in a room above the Fahnestock store with a number of other boys. Not making any light we would remain quietly at the window trying to catch the conversation of the Confederate soldiers who were lying on the pavement below the window. We were eager to catch something that would give us some clue to our army and how they were fairing in the battle .. . but did not learn much from them. We finally went to bed and settled down into a sound sleep as boys do who have few cares and sound health.

  LEE PLANS TO CONTINUE THE ATTACK

  As the guns fell silent with nightfall, each army withdrew to their lines and waited for dawn. Longstreet later declared that the assaults by his two divisions that day had been “the best three hour’s fighting ever done by any troops on any battlefield.” Yet he knew the attacks had ultimately failed to
carry in their primary objective. The Union line remained intact along Cemetery Ridge, and Meade retained the high ground on either end of the battlefield. After sending a messenger to report to Lee on the placement and condition of his corps, Longstreet retired to his headquarters. Hoping to dissuade Lee from renewing the attack, Longstreet ordered scouts to the right of Culp’s Hill, seeking a route to outmaneuver the Federal army the following day.

  Around 10:00 pm orders arrived from Lee—the attack would continue the next day with Pickett’s division against the Union center. Ewell was ordered to attack the Union right at first light, coordinating with Longstreet’s assault. Stuart was ordered to take his cavalry division around the Union’s right side on Culp’s Hill and attack from behind. Artillery Chief William Pendleton was ordered to prepare a heavy bombardment of the Union positions along Cemetery Ridge. Lee had come to Pennsylvania to smash the Army of the Potomac and win the war. With Pickett’s fresh division in the assault and Stuart’s cavalry let loose on the enemy’s rear, Lee was confident the Union could be forced off Cemetery Ridge and that the battle would be won.

  Gettysburg Council of War by James E. Kelly. Photo credit: U.S. Army Military History Institute.

  Major General John Gibbon. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

  MEADE PLANS TO FIGHT IT OUT

  Meade held a conference of his corps commanders at the small one-room farmhouse on Cemetery Ridge that night. He had already telegraphed General Halleck in Washington, DC, that he intended to keep his army at Gettysburg. Yet Meade wished to hear the opinions of his generals if they agreed with this plan. In the small candlelit room a vote was taken. The generals made a unanimous agreement—the army would remain as it was currently deployed and await Lee’s attack, if it came. They would only attack if Lee moved to cut off their communications and supply— which was exactly what Longstreet hoped to do.

  Meade commented to General John Gibbon, acting commander of the Second Corps deployed on Cemetery Ridge, “If Lee attacks tomorrow, it will be in your front... he has made attacks on both our flanks and failed and if he concludes to try it again, it will be on our center.” Meade knew that Lee still had Pickett’s division, which had yet to be sent into battle. If Lee attacked the following day, it would be with Pickett’s men. Meade still held the high ground and almost all his artillery remained intact and in good supply. The Army of the Potomac had taken a savage beating, but they were prepared to fight another day.

  Chapter Five

  Friday, July 3, 1863

  Gettysburg was the price the South paid for

  having Robert E. Lee as commander.

  —Shelby Foote

  TILLIE KEEPS HER PROMISE

  Tillie was so tired from her work the night before that she didn’t wake up until late in the morning:

  The first thought that came into my mind, was my promise of the night before.

  I hastened down to the little basement room, and as I entered, the soldier lay there—dead. His faithful attendant was still at his side.

  I had kept my promise, but he was not there to greet me. I hope he greeted nearer and dearer faces than that of the unknown little girl on the battlefield of Gettysburg.

  Brigadier General Stephen Hinsdale Weed

  As I stood there gazing in sadness at the prostrate form, the attendant looked up to me and asked: “Do you know who this is?” I replied: “No sir.” He said: “This is the body of General Weed; a New York man. ”

  LEE MEETS WITH LONGSTREET TO ORDER THE ASSAULT FOR JULY 3

  At 4:30 AM, just before dawn, Lee rode over to meet with Longstreet at his field headquarters. Longstreet appealed to Lee that his scouts had found a route to outflank the Union army, but the commanding general intended to go on with the attack. Longstreet later wrote:

  I was disappointed when he came to me on the morning of the 3d and directed that I should renew the attack against Cemetery Hill, probably the strongest point of the Federal line. For that purpose he had already ordered up Pickett’s division, which had been left at Cham-bersburg to guard our supply trains. In the meantime the Federals had placed batteries on Round Top, in position to make a raking fire against troops attacking the Federal front... I stated to General Lee that I had been examining the ground over to the right, and was much inclined to think the best thing was to move to the Federal left.

  Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com.

  “No,” he said; “I am going to take them where they are on Cemetery Hill, I want you to take Pickett’s division and make the attack. I will reinforce you by two divisions of the Third Corps. ”

  “That will give me fifteen thousand men,” I replied. “I have been a soldier, I may say, from the ranks up to the position I now hold. I have been in pretty much all kinds of skirmishes, from those of two or three soldiers up to those of an army corps, and I think I can safely say there never was a body of fifteen thousand men who could make that attack successfully. ”

  The general seemed a little impatient at my remarks, so I said nothing more. As he showed no indication of changing his plan, I went to work at once to arrange my troops for the attack.

  Band of Brothers—July 2, 1863. The brave men of the 1st Maryland emerge from the woodline into a wall of musketry on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg. Illustrated by Don Troiani.

  EWELL ATTACKS CULP’S HILL— MARYLAND VS. MARYLAND

  As ordered, Ewell sent Johnson’s division forward against Culp’s Hill at first light. When Lee realized Longstreet’s attack would not be ready for some time, he sent a message to Ewell to call off the attack. Ewell sent a quick reply: “Too late to recall.” The result was three more fruitless and costly assaults against Culp’s Hill, now heavily reinforced and in broad daylight, uphill, against a well-entrenched Union line. The slaughter was frightful. The two days of fighting at Culp’s Hill cost Johnson 2,000 casualties, a third of his division, and another 800 from reinforcing brigades.

  To complete the tragedy, the Confederate assault on July 3, resulted in two units of Marylanders facing off against each other. The 1st Maryland Battalion Infantry of Brigadier General George H. Steuart’s Brigade in the Confederate Army attacked within thirty yards of the Union’s 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade. Recruited from the same counties in Maryland, former friends, neighbors, and kin now took aim at each other as the Confederates were ordered to charge the Union positions.

  Major William Goldsborough, who commanded the Confederate 1st Maryland Battalion Infantry, described the fight:

  Brigadier General George Hume Steuart

  A more terrible fire men were never subjected to, and it was a miracle that any escaped... But the little battalion of Marylanders, now reduced to about 300 men, never wavered nor hesitated, but kept on, closing up its ranks as great gaps were torn through them by the merciless fire of the enemy in front and flank, and many of the brave fellows never stopped until they had passed through the enemy’s first line or had fallen dead or wounded as they reached it.

  But flesh and blood could not withstand that circle of fire, and the survivors fell back to the line of log breastworks, where they remained several hours, repulsing repeated assaults of the enemy, until ordered by General Johnson to fall back to Rock Creek.

  General Steuart was heartbroken at the disaster, and wringing his hands, great tears stealing down his bronzed and weather-beaten cheeks, he was heard repeatedly to exclaim: “My poor boys! My poor boys!”

  Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com.

  Colonel James Wallace of the Union’s 1st Maryland wrote, “The 1st Maryland Confederate Regiment met us and were cut to pieces. We sorrowfully gathered up many of our old friends and acquaintances and had them carefully and tenderly cared for.”

  Among the fallen was John Wesley Culp of the 2nd Virginia Infantry. Originally from Gettysburg, he had moved to Shepherdstown, Virginia, in 1858. Ironically, he was killed on his uncle’s property. With Culp’s demise passed the only knowledge of the last words in a note meant for another native o
f Gettysburg: Mary Virginia Wade. The final words were from her fiancé, Johnston “Jack” Skelly (brother of Daniel Skelly), fatally wounded at the Second Battle of Winchester, Virginia, less than a month earlier. Tragically, none of the three was ever to know the fate of the other two.

  MARY VIRGINIA WADE— A GETTYSBURG HERO

  Mary Virginia Wade, nicknamed “Ginnie” by her family and friends, was a twenty-year-old seamstress who lived with her mother and younger brother in Gettysburg. On the morning of July 1, as the battle neared town, the Wades fled to the nearby home of Ginnie’s sister, Georgia Mc-Clellan, and her newborn son on Baltimore Street. Ginnie spent most of the day distributing bread to Union soldiers and filling their canteens with water. She was determined to do everything she could for the men.

  Mary Virginia Wade

  After the Union Army had retreated to Cemetery Hill, her sister’s house lay between the armies. Confederate sharpshooters were firing at targets near the house, sometimes killing or wounding men in the yard or the nearby vacant lot. The cries of these wounded men made sleep impossible that night, and Ginnie risked her life to take water to these fallen soldiers. The women spent the next day handing out bread and water to any Union men who came knocking asking for food.

  Early on the morning of July 3, Ginnie awoke early to bake more bread for the men. The day before, she and her mother had made yeast that they left in the kitchen to rise overnight. As Ginnie went about kneading the dough, the house came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters. Seeing movement in the house that the Confederates may have assumed to be Union soldiers taking cover in the kitchen, they opened fire. A bullet penetrated the outer door of the north side of the house, and a second door between the parlor and the kitchen, and hit Ginnie in the back under her shoulder blade. The bullet pierced her heart and killed her instantly.